Written by Phil Wala
This week we’re excited to share the first excerpts from some remarkable films found in the church archives. One reel was labeled “New Member Film” and the other had “1941-45” scrawled on it, but we had no clue as to the actual content. When we finally acquired a projector and previewed the films, our jaws dropped as we saw scenes of Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church come alive, in full color, as it was 80 YEARS AGO! We sent these film reels out to be professionally scanned and preserved for future generations. Thanks to the Kodachrome film used at the time, color remains vibrant. (Unfortunately, these were not sound movies – you’ll have to lipread.)
The scenes we’re sharing today feature Dr. Richard C. Raines, pastor of Hennepin Church from 1930 to 1948, the longest term of any Hennepin pastor. Dr. Raines was the originator of the “University of Life,” the program that had the church packed with young people coming together for a meal, social interaction, and classes on relevant subjects taught by some amazing instructors (more on that later!) In these clips you’ll see Dr. Raines serving communion to members of the armed services, baptizing infants, preaching, and even hamming it up on the golf course.
You’ll also see these associate pastors that served with Dr. Raines during the 1940s:
Rev. Winfield Haycock, associate pastor 1943-1949,
Dr. Carroll Wise, associate pastor 1944-1947,
Rev. Homer Elford, associate pastor 1945-1947, and
Dr. Laurence Nye, associate pastor, 1940-1944.
So take a few moments and enjoy a rare glimpse into the life of Hennepin Methodist Church 80 years ago!
In other news from This Week in Hennepin History:
1917 (February 4)
The Crown Iron Works in Minneapolis advertises in the Minneapolis Journal, using the lamps they designed for Hennepin Avenue Church as an example of the quality of their work.

1937 (February 4)
The Hennepin Avenue M. E. Church “Crypt and Chancel” players are presenting “Ladies of the Jury” starring Carolyn Joyce. The name of the group comes from the fact that plays were performed either on the stage in the social hall beneath the sanctuary (the “crypt” in church architecture parlance) or on the sanctuary platform (the “chancel”). For the next 20 years, Carolyn will be the resident director of all of Hennepin’s dramatic presentations.

1940 (February 2)
Noted historian and philosopher Will Durant appears at Hennepin Avenue Church with an optimistic view of mankind’s future.

1943 (January 31)
The Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church bulletin contains a small item naming the chapel speaker for that evening’s University of Life gathering.

1944 (February 4)
During World War II, Hennepin pastor Dr. Richard Raines went on a three-week tour of military installations in Florida and North Carolina.

Answers to Last Week’s Trivia Questions
Last week we talked about Hennepin Avenue Church member Marion W. Savage (1859-1916) who owned the famous race horse Dan Patch, and for whom the city of Savage is named. Here are the answers to last week’s trivia questions.
- Each year, millions of people walk down a street named for Dan Patch. Where is Dan Patch Avenue located?
If you enter the Minnesota State Fair through the main gates on Snelling Avenue and just walk straight ahead toward the grandstands, you are walking down Dan Patch Avenue.
- A musical number in a popular Broadway show mentions Dan Patch. What show is it, and what’s the name of the number?
If you’ve ever seen “The Music Man,” you may have heard Professor Harold Hill issue this warning about “Trouble” (with a capital T) in River City:
“… And the next thing you know your son is playing for money in a pinch-back suit
And listenin’ to some big outta town jasper, hearin’ him tell about horse race gamblin’
Not a wholesome trottin’ race, no, but a race where they set down right on the horse
Like to see some stuck-up jockey boy, settin’ on Dan Patch? Make your blood boil?
Well I should say! …”